Understanding ἀνέκλειπτος (anekleiptos) Strong’s G413: The Unfailing Treasure that Never Diminishes or Runs Dry

Pronunciation Guide: an-ek’-lipe-tos (ἀν-έκ-λειπ-τος)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G413: ἀνέκλειπτος describes something that is unfailing, inexhaustible, and never-ending. This compound adjective conveys the idea of something that cannot run dry, fail, or come to an end. It particularly emphasizes the perpetual nature and absolute permanence of the subject it describes.

Etymology and Morphology

• Part of Speech: Adjective
• Compound word from ἀν- (negative prefix) + ἐκλείπω (to fail, leave off, cease)
• Primary usage in teaching passages
• Found in narrative contexts discussing eternal rewards
• Rare in New Testament (hapax legomenon – appears only once)

ἀνέκλειπτος Morphology:

• ἀνέκλειπτον (accusative singular) – unfailing (direct object)
• ἀνέκλειπτος (nominative singular) – unfailing (subject)
• ἀνεκλείπτῳ (dative singular) – to/with/in the unfailing
• ἀνεκλείπτου (genitive singular) – of the unfailing

Origin & History

The word ἀνέκλειπτος appears in classical Greek literature, particularly in philosophical works discussing eternal principles or divine attributes. Plato uses it in “Timaeus” when describing the eternal nature of divine wisdom. In the Septuagint, while the exact form ἀνέκλειπτος is not found, its root word ἐκλείπω appears frequently, often in contexts describing God’s faithfulness that never fails.

The early church fathers, particularly Clement of Alexandria in his “Stromata,” employed this term when discussing the inexhaustible nature of God’s wisdom and grace. Origin, in his “Commentary on John,” uses it to describe the eternal nature of Christ’s kingdom.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• Something that cannot fail or cease
• That which is perpetual and permanent
• A resource or quality that is inexhaustible
• A state or condition that endures without end

ἀνέκλειπτος Translation Options:

• Unfailing – Best captures both the negative prefix and the concept of perpetual continuation
• Inexhaustible – Emphasizes the abundance aspect of the word
• Never-failing – Provides a more dynamic equivalent that maintains the durational aspect
• Unending – Highlights the eternal nature but may miss the nuance of active continuation

Biblical Usage

The sole New Testament occurrence of ἀνέκλειπτος is in Luke 12:33, where Jesus instructs His disciples about storing up treasure in heaven. The word is strategically placed to contrast earthly treasures that fail with heavenly treasures that are unfailing. This usage creates a powerful metaphor drawing from the common experience of material wealth being depleted or stolen.

In the broader context of Luke’s Gospel, this term appears within Jesus’ teaching about kingdom priorities and eternal perspective. While the exact form appears only once, the concept it represents is woven throughout Scripture’s teachings on God’s eternal nature and promises.

• “[Make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing (ἀνέκλειπτον) treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.]” Luke 12:33

Cultural Insights

In the ancient Near Eastern context, wealth was often stored in the form of clothing and precious metals, both of which were vulnerable to moths and thieves respectively. The concept of an ἀνέκλειπτος treasure would have been particularly striking to Jesus’ audience, as they lived in a world where wealth was inherently unstable and subject to loss through natural decay, theft, or political upheaval.

The imagery Jesus uses connects to the Jewish understanding of storing up merit through righteous deeds, known as “laying up treasure in heaven.” However, Jesus transforms this concept by emphasizing that the unfailing nature of heavenly treasure comes not from human merit but from God’s eternal nature and faithfulness.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀνέκλειπτος in describing heavenly treasure reveals profound truths about God’s character and kingdom. It points to the eternal, unchanging nature of God Himself, who is described as the One who neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4). This word testifies to the permanence and reliability of God’s promises and provisions.

The concept also connects to the New Covenant’s emphasis on eternal security and the imperishable inheritance reserved in heaven for believers. It stands as a powerful reminder that what God provides cannot be diminished, depleted, or destroyed, reflecting His own inexhaustible nature.

Personal Application

Understanding ἀνέκλειπτος challenges believers to evaluate their perspective on treasure and security. It invites us to consider where we place our trust and how we invest our resources. The word calls us to lift our eyes from temporary, failing earthly securities to the unfailing treasures of God’s kingdom.

This truth becomes particularly comforting in times of loss or economic uncertainty, reminding us that our true wealth in the Messiah is eternally secure and absolutely inexhaustible. It encourages us to live generously, knowing our heavenly treasure cannot be depleted.

Related Words

• ἀπόλλυμι (apollymi) – to destroy, perish; contrasts with ἀνέκλειπτος by describing what is perishable See G622
• ἄφθαρτος (aphthartos) – imperishable, immortal; complements ἀνέκλειπτος in describing eternal qualities See G862
• αἰώνιος (aiōnios) – eternal, everlasting; parallels the enduring nature of ἀνέκλειπτος See G166
• μένω (menō) – to remain, abide; shares the concept of permanence with ἀνέκλειπτος See G3306

Did you Know?

• The concept of ἀνέκλειπτος influenced early Christian architecture, where church treasuries were often built to symbolically represent the unfailing heavenly treasury, featuring eternal flame lamps that were never extinguished.
• In modern Greek, derivatives of ἀνέκλειπτος are still used in scientific contexts to describe perpetual motion or inexhaustible energy sources, maintaining its core meaning of “never failing.”
• The word’s structure (ἀν + ἐκ + λείπω) creates a triple emphasis on the concept of “not leaving off,” making it one of the strongest negations in biblical Greek for describing permanence.

Remember This

ἀνέκλειπτος stands as a divine guarantee that what God provides will never run dry, fail, or diminish – an eternal assurance of His inexhaustible provision and unchanging faithfulness.